A Week In San Francisco, CA On A $365,000 Salary

Дата публикации: 16-09-2026 11:00:59

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
This week: A designer working in tech who makes $365,000 per year and spends some of it on a dive trip to Cocos Island.
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Occupation: Designer
Industry: Tech
Age: 35
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: $365,000
Joint Income/Financial Setup: I pay $0 in housing costs currently because I split my week between my parents’ house and my boyfriend (M.)’s condo, which he pays the rent for. In the past, I’ve always lived either solo or with roommates and paid rent, but I gave up my apartment last year when my parents bought a house. Since my parents split their time between Asia and the US, I take care of the garden and watch our cats while they’re away. I do understand how privileged I am, and feel very blessed to have this housing setup right now.
Assets: $926,000 (Checking: $5000 (varies); HYSA: $72,000; Investments: $464,900; Retirement: $334,100; Car: $50,000).
M. and I haven’t combined finances yet; I would only do that after we’re married. He pays the rent for his own apartment, and I cover most of our groceries and household items.
Debt: $0
Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $3800; I max out my 401(k) each year. I get reimbursed for perks or company travel, so how much I get per month really varies. I tend to book all my trips for the year in the first five months of the year, so I lower my total contribution balances, and then around June I adjust them and start contributing more.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $0
Loan Payments: $0
Medical HCFSA: I contribute the max: $3,300 per year.
Retirement: 10-15%. I max out my 401(k) each year and get the full employer match. Once I’ve hit the 401(k) limit, I put additional savings toward a Backdoor Roth IRA.
Health & Dental Insurance: $0 for myself; I cover M.’s health insurance as well.
Phone: $300 (family phone bill).
Fitness: I use my HCFSA to pay for fitness classes.
Charity: $150-200 (I do private interview coaching each month for designers who want to break into big tech, and I ask them to donate to charity.
Streaming and subscriptions: $85
Gas: $280
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
My parents were immigrants who came to the US for higher education. While they expected me to go to university, they were much more relaxed than the typical Asian “Tiger Mom” parents. I actually deferred university for two years and volunteered at a few nonprofits before deciding to go. I received a significant scholarship to attend school in the US, but after one miserable semester, I moved to Asia, where my family had relocated, and attended university there. I lived with my parents a few blocks from school, and they covered my tuition and living expenses. My tuition ended up being literally a tenth of what my parents had anticipated and saved for, so they were able to roll that money over into paying for my sister’s private school tuition. 
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances?
I don’t remember us talking about money much, but I also can’t remember a time when I felt limited by it. I grew up in a squarely middle-class town. When I reached high school, my dad started doing well in his career, and we moved to a wealthier suburb and bought a bigger house with a pool. But my parents kept their simple day-to-day spending and still do.
I lived in Asia for most of my 20s and moved back to the US at 27 with no savings and basically no understanding of the American credit system. A friend had to sit me down and explain credit scores, credit reports, 401(k)s, and everything else. I definitely didn’t start from scratch. So most of my financial literacy was self-taught or gleaned from friends. Even now, I regularly research how to manage my money better; I do an audit every three months and do some light optimization, but I’m a “rest and invest” girl; I don’t try to do too much. 
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked as the “door girl” at a few nightclubs throughout my college years. It was a super fun job and put me in contact with lots of interesting people. I didn’t save anything during that time. I did it for fun (and free drinks).
Did you worry about money growing up?
I don’t remember worrying about money or being aware of it. My parents certainly didn’t show any sign of worry, so I think that attitude sort of passed on to me automatically. I think one difference, though, is that my parents never really used credit cards. I feel that many Asian families operate with a “pay in full” kind of mentality: if you don’t have the money to pay in full, you don’t buy it. That helped my parents really live within their means and not have to take on any debt besides a mortgage, which they prioritized paying off quickly.  
Do you worry about money now?
Not in the day-to-day sense. Especially now that I don’t have any rent! As with many people in tech recently, I do worry a bit about AI and mass layoffs, but I’ve built a strong resume as a designer and have always found it quite easy to get job offers. 
But as my peers are growing up and settling down, there is some element of “keeping up with the Joneses”, especially living in one of the most expensive housing markets in the US. Many of my friends have household incomes of over $1M, and it’s hard not to feel like I could always be trying to make more.  
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
I didn’t become financially independent until my mid-20s. I think the truth is that my parents’ finances are still a big part of why I have the luxury of feeling the stability I do. Not only do I not have to worry about supporting them in retirement, but I know that they would be willing and able to contribute to a down payment for a house, etc when the time comes. In Asian culture, it’s not uncommon for parents to do that. I’ve worked hard to build my net worth and am in a very solid place, but I know that if something were to happen, they would be able to step in and help; that is an enormous privilege and I’m so grateful for it.  
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
I had support from my parents until I was 25. I was gifted $5K by my aunt to travel after college. My parents also paid $12K for my four years of university in Asia (so different compared to the US!) and sponsored $15K for my design program that helped me break into tech.  
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Day One: Monday
5:30 a.m. — I wake up at my parents’ house exhausted. I flew back last night from NYC after a week there for work. I have a hard limit on going to NYC once a year. My little sister is there at the moment, so she stayed with me in my nice hotel for a week. While it was fun to do an extended ‘sister sleepover’, visit museums and go out to cool restaurants, something about the city just drains me. I’m so happy to be back in San Francisco. 
7 a.m. — Because I wake up so early, I’ve created my own unorthodox work schedule. Our company has an unspoken rule of not booking meetings earlier than 10 a.m., so I use these three hours to get all my deep work done. I work on designs, then have back-to-back meetings from 10 a.m. ’til early afternoon to review them or work on product strategy. I can usually log off at 2-3 p.m. and I still have a lot of the afternoon. It’s great.
10 a.m. — Meetings on walking pad; a new thing. I’m obsessed and tell my coworkers to get one.
12 p.m. — My parents are leaving for Costco and ask me if I want to come along. I have a few later meetings today, so — um, yes! Especially since I have zero groceries after my week of travel and I’m heading to my boyfriend M.’s house today. I get red onions, a huge pack of organic chicken, chicken sausage, chicken meatballs, salmon, eggs, olive oil, tortilla chips, and salsa. My parents get what they need and I pay for everything. $375
2 p.m. — I’m making the switchover today to my boyfriend’s house, so I pack my bag and a cooler for the Costco stuff I’m lugging down to M.’s house. My office is halfway from my parents’ place to his, and thankfully my manager really doesn’t care when or how long I’m in the office. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have the least traffic, so that’s when I go in. I take an hour of meetings from the office, then head out.
6:30 p.m. — M. has had a long day at work, so I take on dinner duties tonight: some lemon chicken, asparagus, and rice. After dinner, we watch John Wick (we’re working through the movies) and pass out by 9 p.m., our usual bedtime.
Daily Total: $375
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Day Two: Tuesday
5:30 a.m. — Wake up to the dulcet tones of Stephen A. Smith screaming about the NFL. I hate the TV in the bedroom but life is about compromise.
6:00 a.m. — Head to our usual fitness class. Tuesday’s instructor is so intense and today is squats — so many squats. I bought a class pack with my HCFSA so I effectively get a major discount. I reward myself with a matcha after it. My sister just told me that matcha is trendy…? $8
10 a.m. — After my deep work block, I start meetings. I present designs at a leadership review that goes well, and then I wolf down some chicken and rice leftovers afterward while doing some online shopping. I’ve found these sort of chic, way too expensive car air fresheners with scents like patchouli, cactus water, eucalyptus. I send one to M.’s mom, and get one each for M. and my parents. $95
4 p.m. — I head to a nearby farm, where I’ve started taking horseback riding lessons! I’m going to Patagonia later this year and have booked a multi-day horseback riding trip, so it’s my goal this year to learn how to ride. It’s a lot of core and inner thighs — who knew riding horses was like Pilates?! I’m still trying out different horses to see who I vibe with best; today it’s a palomino called Ranger who’s sassy in the best way. Afterward, I pay for the lesson in cash. $90
6 p.m. — Home and shower. M. has made air-fried salmon, zucchini, and some rice. We’re not the most creative eaters, but life is all about sauces. Today’s is some creamy cilantro lime sauce I picked up at Costco.
7:30 p.m. — We’re kind of sick of John Wick so we turn to our shared genre: mafia movies. We watch A Bronx Tale; it’s just okay. I like Goodfellas better and I feel that it’s essentially the same plot…?
9:00 p.m. — It’s time for bed. I read and snuggle with M. in bed while he watches some true crime doc.
Daily Total: $193
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Day Three: Wednesday
5:30 a.m. — 6 a.m. Fitness workout, cold brew, deep work, and chores.
8 a.m. — I have my weekly session with my therapist, who I love. I keep a running diary in ChatGPT of my thoughts and things that happen throughout the week, then I create a summary to discuss with her. I feel like I’m going to get flamed for this in the comments. I do have lots of qualms about AI, particularly its impact on the environment — but at the same time I work in big tech, so I guess I’m part of the problem. I pay $15 out of pocket for my session; I’m charged for it after the session. $15
9:30 a.m. — Finish my deep work block and drive to the office relatively “early”. I even make it in time for breakfast! I grab some bacon, spinach, and eggs with lots of ketchup and hot sauce. 
12:30 p.m. — I have a 1:1 with my manager and he informs me that I have some urgent, high-visibility projects coming my way so I should expect a busy month. So much of big tech is performative, bureaucratic, and all about office politics, but since I’ve been in large companies for the past eight years, I’m used to it. Afterward, I’m starving, so I drive across to our other work “campus” to get some Greek food. Falafel, chicken souvlaki, rice, and Greek salad. Lots and lots of tzatziki, of course! 
3 p.m. — Meetings done. I drive up to my parents’ house before the traffic gets bad, and do some more deep work. My parents are having hotpot tonight — my favorite. We always make it ourselves at home because it’s a lot cheaper and healthier. I help prep the ingredients: thinly shaved beef, veggies, mushrooms, fish cakes, and tofu. I make my usual sesame vinegar soy sauce and feast away.
9 p.m. — After dinner, I get ready for bed and try to read a bit on my Kindle (I’m reading an account of the British expedition to the South Pole) but I end up falling asleep mid-sentence. At this rate, I will never get to the part where they actually reach the South Pole, but I’m so tired.
Daily Total: $15
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Day Four: Thursday
6:00 a.m. — Coffee at home, walking pad, deep work.
12:00 p.m. — Lunch meeting. I dig up a frozen protein burrito I had lurking in the fridge and eat it with some raspberries.
2:00 p.m. — I’m taking a quick break between meetings when my friend texts me to remind me to send the rest of my payment for a trip. It’s a trip I’m taking in the fall to an uninhabited group of islands 36 hours by boat off the coast of Costa Rica. I do one big scuba “liveaboard” trip like this every year. A scuba liveaboard is sort of like a (less luxurious) yacht trip, except instead of lounging around on deck, we’ll be doing four dives a day, swimming with schools of hammerhead sharks in some of the most remote dive sites in the world. Hammerhead sharks are my favorite animals to encounter underwater and they can come in schools of over a hundred at a time, so I can’t wait!
I have $3,700 left to pay for the trip, so I put the entire amount on my Amex and submit the receipt to my company’s online portal for reimbursement. It is not a cheap trip by any means (the total comes in just above $5K), but when you consider that it includes transportation to the island, a hotel room, three meals a day, snacks, alcohol and activities for nine straight days, it stings a bit less. 
My work reimburses us up to $2,000 per year for “lifestyle” activities, so the money will come with my next paycheck and I’ll ultimately be out $1,700.
5:00 p.m. — My mom wants me to clean up the back of the garden, so I put on a podcast and pull weeds for a while. I’ve been listening to Tooth and Claw, a podcast about animal attacks. They do a dramatic retelling of the attack, then get into the biology of the animal. Today they cover a crocodile attack — that’s one animal I hope I never see underwater. I won’t be swimming in Florida anytime soon, even though I’m eyeing a trip next year to the Bahamas to swim with tiger sharks…  
7 p.m. — My mom stir-fried some homestyle Asian dishes with rice. My cat joins us and gets some fish as a reward.
9:00 p.m. — When 9 p.m. rolls around, you know what time it is: Time for bed!!!
Daily Total: $1,700 ($3,700 with $2,000 reimbursement)
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Day Five: Friday
6:00 a.m. — Coffee, walking pad, deep work.
10 a.m. — I make another coffee and start my meetings. It’s kind of an unspoken rule that you shouldn’t schedule meetings past noon on a Friday, so the mornings are typically really busy and then very free in the afternoon. During my second meeting, our monthly Chewy delivery for our cats arrives, which I pay for. $125 
4:30 p.m. — I usually head down to M.’s on Fridays but this week I’m starting a summer race series with the sailboat I usually crew on. I started sailing a few years ago and have gotten really into it; the Bay Area is one of the best places in the world to sail. It took some time but I’ve finally found a solid crew I love racing with. On the way over, I eat this fancy oat muffin thing I liberated from the office kitchen. When I arrive, we set up the boat, prep the sails and head out, chatting the whole way. I love this crew — it’s a mix of salty old sailors, younger sailing instructors, and newbies so I always learn something, even if we don’t win.  
7:00 p.m. — We win! First race of the series, so it feels good. We celebrate with our snacks and usual cocktails on the boat because it’s Friday!!!
8:30 p.m. — We put away the boat and I’m still starving, so I stop at In-N-Out on the way home. I call my parents to see if they want some; we have some cheeky late-night burgers and animal style fries. $22
Daily Total: $147
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Day Six: Saturday
6 a.m. — Coffee and leftover animal style fries — classic combo.
9:30 a.m. — A short hike in the Redwoods with my mom. We’re so lucky to have amazing trails a short car ride away. We check out the rose garden nearby to see how they’re blooming this year and take deep sniffs of our favorite ones.  
11 a.m. — Stop by the farmers’ market to get weekly flowers for the house ($20) then time to visit Trader Joe’s, my happy place. I get blue corn tortilla chips, Greek yogurt spinach dip, grapefruit juice, peanut butter pretzels, orzo salad, crackers, bleu cheese, and salami. $63
4 p.m. — I head down to M.’s place with the groceries and we snack on the cheese and salami while doing some laundry. We’re too lazy to cook so we go out to get some pizza and wine. M. pays for the pizza, and I get a chilled red from our local wine shop. I may have also got a bag of orange wine for a BBQ we’re having next weekend. Trashy yet classy! (Just like me). Then we sit on the couch and watch John Wick 4. They really need to stop making these movies. $43
9 p.m. — In bed; another wild Saturday for us.
Daily Total: $106
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Day Seven: Sunday
6:30 a.m. — Another day, another fitness workout. The earliest classes on weekends are at 7 a.m., so we “sleep in”.
8 a.m. — We do some dishes and pack all our stuff into my car. Today we’re heading down south to a coastal town. M. is golfing and I’m scuba diving with friends at a beautiful cove that we’ve been meaning to check out.  
9:30 a.m. — I drop M. off at the golf course and I head further south to meet up with my friends. We pick up our tanks and grab coffee. I already own all of my own equipment so I only have to rent air tanks. I haven’t had anything to eat so I grab a breakfast sandwich and eat it as fast as humanly possible. As I’ve learned the hard way, diving on an empty stomach is no good. $18 
10:30 a.m. — It takes so long to gear up. Once I’m loaded with a full wetsuit, fins, and weights, and waiting to get in the water, I start to wonder why I decided to make my main hobby scuba diving. Why didn’t I take up surfing or something with less equipment?!
12:00 p.m. — Just kidding. I love diving!!!! The water visibility is amazing today but our first dive turns out to be a bit sad; sea urchins have taken over and destroyed the kelp forest. After a short rest and some snacks, we get back in the water. This time we head to another area and our dive is much more beautiful. We wend through a series of canyons and encounter tons of lush kelp forest. We even get visited by a playful sea lion.
3:00 p.m. — It takes ages to pack up, and I’m soggy, cold, and exhausted. I pick M. up at the course and he’s fried from 18 holes in the sun. On the way home, we stop to get takeout. M. gets burritos and I get a falafel wrap and fries (with lots of red and white sauces, obviously.) He pays for our food. I also get gas. I got a new car a few months ago after I got a major bonus at work. My sister got a free car, and I got my dream car! But unfortunately it’s a bit of a gas guzzler. $75
9:00 p.m. — Out like a light. It’s been a busy week!
Daily Total: $93
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The Breakdown
Conclusion:
My weekly total looks eye-watering because of the payment for my scuba trip! But looking at the breakdown otherwise, I don’t spend insane amounts, and it’s pretty obvious where my priorities are: my hobbies and travel. I hardly ever go out to dinner or for drinks anymore. All my entertainment basically revolves around being outside: diving, sailing, riding, and hiking. I’d rather spend money on experiences than almost anything else, and I understand how privileged I am to have no housing costs right now, so that I can still save while having these incredible experiences. 
I try to show it by being generous and thoughtful whenever I can to my circle of loved ones. I know my lucky rent-free setup won’t last forever; M. and I are planning to get married, move in together, and have kids next year, so my finances will definitely be changing. 
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